Celtic FC fans raise banners in support of Palestine
WORLD, Feb. 27 (YPA) -Celtic FC supporters raised several banners in multiple languages during their team’s matches to express solidarity with Palestine, as part of a campaign that garnered widespread support from clubs and fans in over 30 countries.
The protest, which began during Celtic FC’s Champions League match against Bayern Munich on 12 February, has inspired similar demonstrations in Italy, Spain, France, Greece, Ireland, Turkey, and Malaysia.
In Turkey, fans of Galatasaray and Bursaspor have also joined the movement, echoing the Green Brigade’s call for justice.
Notably, while FIFA and UEFA suspended Russia’s participation in international competitions due to ongoing events, they have refrained from taking a similar stance against the Israeli occupation. This has drawn criticism, highlighting the perceived double standards of Western institutions, even in the realm of sports.
In a show of unwavering support, the “Green Brigade,” one of Celtic’s oldest and most prominent fan groups, announced plans to organize protests during football matches worldwide.
This initiative has resonated globally, with matches in Scotland, Spain, Chile, Turkey, Italy, Indonesia, Belgium, and beyond featuring banners in various languages proclaiming, “The most famous red card to Israel.”
These actions have united fans from diverse religious and ethnic backgrounds in solidarity with the Palestinian cause.
Throughout the current UEFA Champions League season, Celtic fans have emerged as a powerful voice for Palestine.
They raised Palestinian flags during all ten of their team’s matches, both at home and abroad, demonstrating their steadfast commitment. Even after UEFA imposed sanctions on Celtic fans for their support of Gaza, they remained undeterred.
The fans continued to wave Palestinian flags in the stands, even after their team’s elimination from the tournament.
In addition to the flags, banners with slogans such as “Israel deserves a red card” and “Zionism deserves a red card” have become a common sight in the stands. These messages underscore the fans’ rejection of Israeli policies toward Palestinians and their call for accountability on the global stage.
@E.Y.M